NEWS

by Seth Hemmelgarn

Two politically connected lesbians are exploring whether to
launch a recall of Sheriff Ross Mirkarimi, whom the Board of Supervisors
recently reinstated to his post despite his guilty plea in a domestic violence
case.

Andrea Shorter, chair of SF Women for Accountability and a
Responsible Supervisor, and political consultant Joyce Newstat are leading the
effort. Shorter is a former City College trustee and was the marriage
coordinator for Equality California. Newstat served as an aide to former Mayor
Gavin Newsom and now runs her own consulting business.

"[I]t is clearer than ever that San Franciscans want
Ross Mirkarimi removed from the office of sheriff," Shorter said in an
email. "The question is not whether, but when, and how. We recognize the
growing momentum and share the enthusiasm for recalling Sheriff Mirkarimi, but
we also recognize the tremendous and sustained commitment of resources, energy
and time such an effort requires."

She continued, "In the coming weeks we will actively
work with domestic violence prevention leaders and communities across the city
to assess all the options for holding Sheriff Mirkarimi and the three remaining
members of the Board of Supervisors who supported his reinstatement
accountable."

Supervisors David Campos, John Avalos, Jane Kim, and
Christina Olague voted to reinstate Mirkarimi. Olague, who was appointed by
Mayor Ed Lee to serve Mirkarimi's last year on the board after he was elected
sheriff, lost her bid for a full term in this month's elections.

Mirkarimi was dismissive of the recall effort.

"As these two try to capitalize on a recall, we're
reminded that they were both close advisers, confidants, and contributors to my
opponent who came in third in the sheriff's race a year ago," he said in
an email, apparently referring to defeated candidate Chris Cunnie. "I
understand that losing is painful but continuing to use an issue that has been
settled in court and the Board of Supervisors for a recall will cost the city
and taxpayers another $3 million on top of the $2 million already spent. I
believe that money would be better spent on domestic violence education and
services."

As the San Francisco Examiner recently noted, Mirkarimi previously favored a recall election over Lee's
attempt to remove him from office. In an interview with the Bay Area
Reporter earlier this year, Mirkarimi said
there are "proper democratic remedies" in place for people who don't
want him to be sheriff, such as recalling him or not re-electing him.

Data from the city's Ethics Commission show Newstat
contributed to Cunnie's campaign, but the B.A.R. wasn't immediately able to find financial support from Shorter for
Cunnie's bid.

Department of Elections Director John Arntz said a recall
could cost "around" $3 million "but maybe less."

According to the city attorney's office, the official
misconduct proceedings that resulted from Mirkarimi's criminal action and
subsequent guilty plea totaled about $1.3 million in attorneys' fees and expenses.

It's not clear what "growing momentum" Shorter is
referring to in her statement, or where she and Newstat would get the money to
pay for their efforts. Shorter has declined to answer questions from the B.A.R.
, and in an email, Newstat said, "Andrea's
statement says it all."

In terms of support for a recall, in her statement Shorter
is likely referring to her committee's role in the defeat of Olague.

Mirkarimi served for seven years on the board before being
elected to the sheriff's post. The official misconduct stems from a December
31, 2011 incident in which he bruised the arm of his wife, Eliana Lopez. She
has disputed the charges. He pleaded guilty to misdemeanor false imprisonment
and must complete counseling and three years of probation.

In March, Lee suspended Mirkarimi without pay on grounds of
official misconduct after he pleaded guilty. Lee transmitted the charges to the
city's Ethics Commission and asked that Mirkarimi be removed from his job.

After several hearings, the commission in August voted 4-1
in favor of recommending to the Board of Supervisors that the official
misconduct charges should be sustained. In early October, the board voted 7-4
in favor of removing Mirkarimi but the mayor needed nine votes to oust the
sheriff.

Clubs not yet weighing in

The Alice B. Toklas LGBT Democratic Club has previously
supported Mirkarimi's ouster, but Co-Chair Martha Knutzen said in an interview
last week that the club didn't have an official position on the recall.

"We haven't passed any resolutions or discussed it
yet," Knutzen said, noting that it doesn't appear an actual recall process
has started.

At its annual Alice Awards reception November 14, the club
honored the city's Commission on the Status of Women, of which Shorter is a
member; the Domestic Violence Consortium; La Casa de las Madres; and District
Attorney George Gasc—n. Representatives of the organizations and Gasc—n have
spoken out against Mirkarimi.

Glendon Hyde, president of the Harvey Milk LGBT Democratic
Club, which has backed Mirkarimi, said although he personally supports the
sheriff, "I'm sick of talking about Ross Mirkarimi. ... I do believe there
were probably some issues at home, but I don't think he should lose his job for
it."

The Mirkarimi story has received much attention from city
leaders and the media. Hyde said he'd rather see people focus on issues like
obtaining a shelter for homeless youth in the Castro neighborhood.

"A lot of the things the city desperately needs are not
getting looked at because of this," Hyde said.

Individual members may choose to act on the recall, but Hyde
said, "I don't know how much the club is looking for heavy involvement one
way or the other. I think we've made our position clear, and I think we can
stand behind that."

Hyde, who's also known by his drag persona Anna Conda,
doesn't think it's significant that two lesbians are leading the potential
recall.

"I think one of the reasons lesbians are leading it is
lesbians are leaders in feminist rights," he said. "... This is
something they believe in, so they're leading the charge like they would
anything else."

David Waggoner, Mirkarimi's attorney, said in an email,
"Sexual orientation is irrelevant to the fact that a recall would be
extremely divisive, expensive, and ultimately a distraction to the real
problems facing everyday San Franciscans."

News of Shorter and Newstat's potential efforts was first
reported by the San Francisco Chronicle.
As the Chronicle noted, more than
50,000 petition signatures would be needed to get a recall on the ballot.